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Life for pioneer children was much different than life today. Children were responsible for many chores throughout the day such as cleaning, chopping wood, feeding farm animals, or making butter. Much of their day was spent helping family. When they did have free time, they played inventive games or made their own toys. Children oftenRead more

Before schools could be built, children would gather in someone’s home and were taught how to read, write and count. Eventually the community would get together and build a school. This one room schoolhouse contained only the bare necessities: a chair for the teacher, desks made out of planks for the children, some blackboards atRead more

Discover how some of the areas around Glengarry got their names! Do you recognize this main street? Alexandria: named in honour of Right Reverend Alexander McDonell (1762-1840), who was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Upper Canada. The town was settled about 1803, known earlier as ‘Priest’s Mills’. During the late 1800s, Alexandria was famousRead more

Cariboo Cameron – John A. Cameron, more commonly known as Cariboo Cameron, is a legendary Glengarry figure. He was born on September 1st 1820 in the Charlottenburgh Township. His parents were Angus Cameron and Isabella McDougal. He went to the Cariboo (British Columbia) with his wife, to proespect for gold. In December of 1862, Cameron andRead more

2009-003-001 Woman’s hooded woolen tartan cape in Cameron of Lochiel plaid ca. 1875. Owned by Isabella Cameron MacDiarmid (1848-1933), second wife of Dr. Donald MacDiarmid of Maxville.  Read more

This sheer black apron belonged to the family of Margaret (Harris) Morrow whose parents built the United Church in Maxville around 1926 where her father was the minister. Margaret and her family lived in the manse. The apron most likely came from one of her grandmothers. This very sheer black georgette material has a black silkRead more

These Ojibway style snowshoes currently hang in the Orange Lodge building at the Museum. 2001-010-001 AB snowshoes 2001-010-002 This photo is of Mary Victoria Alberta (Bertie) Harkness (1879-1931) with her dog and the wonderful snowshoes. Mary was the daughter of Dr. Andrew Harkness and Janet Ross. “Bertie” married Arthur Powell, a druggist from Lancaster, in 1905. 2001-010-002Read more

2002-000-001-01 revolver This muzzle-loading revolver and its case were donated to the Glengarry Pioneer Museum in 2002 by Mr. Basil McCormick, originally from Lochiel. This Whitney Navy Percussion Revolver is in good condition but not functioning. It has a wooden handle and is stamped with the name E. WHITNEY N. HAVEN, the maker and theRead more

Photograph and metals of John Archibald MacDonald, killed in action, 1917 WWI Bronze four-pointed Star,1914-15 1978-001-003 WWI Silver British War Medal awarded to all ranks of Canadian overseas military forces 1978-001-006 1978-001-011 Photograph of John Archibald MacDonald ca 1916 The portrait is large, measuring 29cm x 59.5cm Donated by Sister Clair MacDonald of Alexandria inRead more

Photograph of Simon Fraser, ca. 1865 Simon Fraser (1834 – 1918) owned and operated a Tannery on the Lochinvar Rd. in Lochiel Township in the second half of the 19th century. Previous to this, he trained at a Tannery in Lancaster, moved on to work for a Tannery in Vankleek Hill and then finally opened hisRead more